U.S. patent application number 13/032015 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-23 for portable speaker apparatus.
Invention is credited to Randel L. Crotts.
Application Number | 20120213397 13/032015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46652760 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120213397 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crotts; Randel L. |
August 23, 2012 |
Portable Speaker Apparatus
Abstract
A portable speaker apparatus includes a casing defining an
interior area. A processor and memory are situated in the casing,
the memory having program instructions, prerecorded sound data
records, and auxiliary sound data records. A sound data input is
connected to the processor and memory for transferring auxiliary
sound data to respective memory records, such as sound data from a
computer or mp3 player. A sound selection input is connected to the
processor and memory for selecting one of a respective prerecorded
sound record and auxiliary sound record. A microphone is configured
to receive sound from outside the casing. A speaker is situated in
the casing and configured to emit selected sound data received
immediately from the microphone and to emit sound data selected
from memory.
Inventors: |
Crotts; Randel L.;
(Hermitage, TN) |
Family ID: |
46652760 |
Appl. No.: |
13/032015 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/334 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 1/403 20130101;
H04R 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/334 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/02 20060101
H04R001/02 |
Claims
1. A portable speaker apparatus, comprising: a casing defining an
interior area; a processor situated in said casing interior area; a
memory situated in said casing interior area and in data
communication with said processor, said memory having: a plurality
of program instructions for execution by said processor; a
plurality of prerecorded sound data records; a plurality of sound
data records for storing auxiliary sound data; a sound data input
situated in said casing interior area and electrically connected to
said memory and to said processor, said sound data input being
configured to transfer auxiliary sound data from a data source
outside said casing to a respective sound data record in said
memory; a sound selection input electrically connected to said
memory and to said processor configured to select one of a
respective prerecorded sound data record and a respective auxiliary
sound data record; a microphone configured to receive sound from
outside said casing; a speaker electrically connected to said
processor and to said microphone, said speaker configured to emit
sound immediately upon receipt by said microphone; programming
causing said processor to: determine if new auxiliary sound data is
received by said sound data input; store said received auxiliary
sound data in a respective sound data record in said memory if said
new auxiliary sound data has been received by said so and data
input; determine if one of a respective auxiliary sound data record
and a respective prerecorded sound data record has been selected by
said sound selection input; and energize said speaker to emit said
selected sound data record.
2. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising
an amplifier positioned in said interior area of said casing and
interconnected between said microphone and said speaker, said
amplifier being configured to increase the volume of audio data
received thereby.
3. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said
amplifier is electrically connected to said processor and said
speaker, said amplifier configured to increase the volume of sound
data received thereby.
4. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said sound
data input is a USB port.
5. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said sound
selection input is a plurality of pre-recorded sound selector
buttons positioned on an exterior of said casing, each of said
plurality of selector buttons being electrically connected to said
processor.
6. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said sound
selection input is a plurality of auxiliary sound selector buttons
positioned on an exterior of said casing, each of said plurality of
auxiliary sound selector buttons being electrically connected to
said processor.
7. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
microphone includes means for attachment to an article of
clothing.
8. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sound
data input is an antenna positioned in said interior area and
electrically connected to said processor, said antenna configured
to receive sound data signals from an internet wireless network for
storage in said memory.
9. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising
a handle coupled to said casing by which said casing is
portable.
10. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising: a battery positioned in said casing interior area and
electrically connected to said processor; a plurality of light
members situated on an outer surface of said casing and
electrically connected to said battery.
11. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 10, further
comprising a mode selection switch positioned on said casing and
electrically connected to said processor and to said plurality of
light members, said mode switch configured to cycle said plurality
of light members between a plurality of predetermined light
activation modes.
12. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said
speaker is a plurality of speakers spaced apart from one another on
an outer surface of said casing.
13. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising: a transmitter positioned in said casing interior space
and electrically connected to said processor; a receiver positioned
in said casing interior space and electrically connected to said
processor; an activation switch electrically connected to said
processor; programming causing said processor to: determine if said
activation switch has been actuated; and actuate said transmitter
to transmit one of sound input from said microphone and a
previously selected sound data record into the air if said
activation switch has been actuated.
14. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 13, further
comprising programming causing said processor to: determine if said
activation switch has been actuated; actuate said receiver to
receive respective sound data; and actuate said speaker to emit
said received sound data.
15. The portable speaker apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
sound data input is an external music player port configured to
connect to an external mp3 player.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to personal electronic
audio devices and, more particularly, to a portable speaker
apparatus that amplifies a user's voice and emits predetermined
sound data and other sound data uploaded by a user. The portable
speaker apparatus enables a user to play amplified sounds specific
to fans cheering for their favorite sports team.
[0002] Fans of a sports team, such as a high school, college, or
professional athletic team, enjoy cheering, applauding, yelling
cheers, booing, or otherwise making noise. Athletic teams may also
have a fight song or other melodies that are played by a band or
speakers. A team whose fans make a high level of noise may even
have a competitive advantage over their opponents when playing at
their home stadium or arena.
[0003] Various devices have been proposed in the art for amplifying
a fan's cheering, such as a traditional megaphone. Other devices
have been proposed for playing music and other prerecorded sounds,
such as devices for use for karaoke. Although assumably effective
for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a
portable speaker system for amplifying a user's own voice, having a
plurality of prerecorded sounds, a plurality of additional sound
data uploaded from external data sources, and the capability of
combining stored sound data with a user's amplified voice.
[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a portable speaker
apparatus that satisfies all of the limitations of existing or past
devices and proposals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A portable speaker apparatus according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes a casing defining an
interior area. A processor and memory are situated in the casing,
the memory having program instructions, prerecorded sound data
records, and auxiliary sound data records. A sound data input is
connected to the processor and memory for transferring auxiliary
sound data to respective memory records, such as sound data from a
computer or mp3 player. A sound selection input is connected to the
processor and memory for selecting one of a respective prerecorded
sound record and auxiliary sound record. A microphone is configured
to receive sound from outside the casing. A speaker is situated in
the casing and configured to emit selected sound data received
immediately from the microphone and to emit sound data selected
from memory.
[0006] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide
a portable speaker apparatus that provides sports fans a way to
amplify typical "crowd noise" while watching a sporting event.
[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a portable
speaker apparatus, as aforesaid, in a portable casing with
selection buttons with which a user may select from prerecorded
sounds such as cheering, booing, whistling, and the like.
[0008] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
portable speaker apparatus, as aforesaid, that enables a user to
upload sound data such as school fight songs or other sound effects
and then select from such auxiliary sound data to be amplified on
demand.
[0009] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
portable speaker apparatus, as aforesaid, having a microphone that
enables a user's voice to be amplified even while a selected
prerecorded or auxiliary sound record is being emitted.
[0010] A further object of this invention is to provide a portable
speaker apparatus, as aforesaid, to which an mp3 player may be
connected and sound data therefrom amplified.
[0011] A still further object of this invention is to provide a
portable speaker apparatus, as aforesaid, that may connect to other
identical apparatuses wirelessly for enhanced amplification.
[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable speaker apparatus
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus as in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3a is a top view of the apparatus as in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3b is a right side view of the apparatus as in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3c is a left side view of the apparatus as in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front side view of the apparatus as in FIG. 1
with the front face removed; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical
components of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] A portable speaker apparatus according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. The
portable speaker apparatus 10 includes a processor 30, memory 32,
microphone 52, and at least one speaker 50 situated on or inside a
casing 12.
[0021] The portable speaker apparatus 10 includes a casing 12
having front 14 and rear 16 faces connected by top 18, bottom 20,
and left 22 and right 24 side walls that together define an
interior area 26. Electronic components are positioned in the
interior area 26 of the casing 12 as will be more particularly
described below. The electronic components may be mounted on a
printed circuit board ("PCB") 28. A battery 29 may be positioned
within the casing interior space and electrically connected to the
electronic components as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, a processor
30 and memory 32 are situated in the casing interior area 26. The
memory 32 stores a plurality of program instructions for execution
by the processor 30 as will be described later. Further, the memory
32 includes data structures in the form of records as will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of computer
programming and data processing. Even more particularly, the memory
32 includes a plurality of prerecorded sound data records 34 and
auxiliary sound data records 36 (FIG. 5). The prerecorded sound
data records 34 may include sound data in the form of cheering,
whistling, booing, school spirit yelling, generic fight songs, and
the like. The auxiliary sound data records 36 are configured to
receive non-prerecorded sound files that may be uploaded by a user
under processor control.
[0022] The portable speaker apparatus 10 includes at least one
sound data input 48 electrically connected to the processor 30 by
which a user may upload auxiliary sound data, such as from a
computer, mp3 player, or the like. The sound data input 48 may be a
USB port, audio jack, or the like, that provides a data connection
between the external data device and the processor 30. The
processor 30, using program instructions stored in memory 32,
causes sound data received from the external data device to be
stored in respective auxiliary sound data records 36 which can then
be accessed later using data selection means described below.
Alternatively, the portable speaker apparatus 10 may include a
receiver 49, such as an antenna, configured to receive sound data
wirelessly, such as from a wireless computer network.
[0023] The portable speaker apparatus 10 also includes at least one
sound selection input 38 to enable a user to select a desired sound
data record. More particularly, a plurality of prerecorded sound
selector buttons 40 may be situated on a top wall 18 of the casing
12, each button being electrically connected to the processor 30
and associated with a respective prerecorded sound data record 34.
It is understood that in other embodiments (not shown), a single
prerecorded sound selector button may be included and used to cycle
through the available prerecorded sounds and for selecting a
desired prerecorded sound. In such an embodiment, a display may be
included to visually indicate available prerecorded sounds and to
make selection convenient. Similarly, a plurality of auxiliary
sound data selector buttons 42 may be positioned on a right side
wall 24 of the casing 12 and electrically connected to the
processor 30. Each auxiliary sound selector button 42 may be
associated with a respective auxiliary sound data record 36. In
other embodiments (not shown), a single auxiliary sound selector
button may be included. It is understood that program instructions
executable by the processor 30 may be stored in memory 32 for
managing operation of selecting a prerecorded or auxiliary sound
data record.
[0024] The speaker 50 may be positioned on the front face 14 of the
casing 12 and electrically connected to the processor 30. It is
understood that the speaker 50 may be a single speaker or multiple
speakers of different sizes and types. Preferably, the microphone
52 is tethered to the casing 12 with a data cable 54 that is
electrically connected to the speaker 50. The casing 12 may include
an audio jack 53 for connecting the data cable 54 to the circuit
board 28 (FIG. 3c). The microphone 52 may include a fastener 56 or
other means for being attached to an article of clothing. In some
embodiments, the microphone 52 may be fixedly attached to the
casing 12. Sound received by the microphone 52 may be emitted
immediately by the speaker 50. Further, an amplifier 58 may be
positioned intermediate the microphone 52 and a speaker 50 so as to
increase the volume of sound from the microphone 52 before being
emitted by the speaker 50. The amplifier 58 is also intermediate
the processor 30 and speaker 50 for amplifying prerecorded and
auxiliary sound data records before being emitted from the speaker
50.
[0025] A handle 60, such as a lanyard, may be operatively coupled
to the casing 12 so that the casing 12 may be portable. In other
words, the handle 60 enables the casing 12 to be carried by hand,
placed around a user's neck, or the like.
[0026] In some embodiments, a plurality of light members 62 may be
positioned on an exterior surface of the casing 12 and electrically
connected to the battery 29. In some embodiments, a mode selection
switch 64 may be electrically connected to the light members 62
(FIG. 5) and processor 30 for selecting or cycling the plurality of
light members 62 between a plurality of light activation
modes/lighting patterns.
[0027] In another aspect of the invention, the portable speaker
apparatus 10 may include a transmitter 44 and a receiver 49
situated in the casing interior area 26 and in data communication
with the processor 30. It is understood that the receiver 49 may be
the same receiver 49 as described above for use as a sound data
input 48. The apparatus 10 may also include an activation switch 46
in communication with the processor 30. As will be described below,
the transmitter 44, receiver 49, and activation switch 46 enable
more than one portable speaker apparatus to communicate sound data
to and from one another so as to emit the same sound data
simultaneously.
[0028] More particularly, the apparatus 10 includes programming
causing the processor 30 to determine if the activation switch 46
has been actuated and, if so, to activate the transmitter 44 to
transmit sound data received by the microphone 52 into the air. For
instance, if a user actuates the activation switch 46, then any
subsequent sounds received through the microphone 52 would be
immediately emitted through the speaker 50 but also broadcast via
the transmitter 44 into the air to be received by another
respective portable speaker apparatus 10. In addition, programming
may cause a respective sound record to be transmitted, such as a
previously selected prerecorded or auxiliary sound record.
[0029] Similarly, the apparatus 10 includes programming such that
the processor 30 may determine if the activation switch 46 has been
actuated and, if so, to energize the receiver 49 to receive sound
data from another portable speaker apparatus 10. If sound data is
received by the receiver 49, the speaker is activated to emit the
sound data. In some embodiments, there may be one activation switch
dedicated to activating the transmitter 44 to transmit sound data
into the airwaves and another activation switch dedicated to
activating the receiver 49 to receive sound data from another
apparatus 10. Accordingly, the transmitter 44 and receiver 49
enable multiple portable speaker apparatuses to cooperatively
amplify selected sounds while observing a sporting event.
[0030] In use, a user may upload selected sound data to the
portable speaker system as described above, such as by connecting
the device to a computer, by connecting to an mp3 player, by
wireless connection with a computer network, or the like. A user
may attach the microphone 52 to an article of clothing, such as a
shirt, and sing or speak into it, the sound being immediately
amplified and emitted through the speaker 50. In addition, a user
may select prerecorded or auxiliary sound data records using the
sound selection input(s), the sound data records being emitted
through the speaker 50. It is understood that a user may speak or
sing into the microphone 52 and have the sound emitted through the
speaker 50 while another sound data record is being emitted.
[0031] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention
have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
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